We have studied the hydrogenation of levoglucosenone (LGO) to dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene), levoglucosanol (Lgol), and tetrahydrofurandimethanol (THFDM) and elucidated the reaction network over supported palladium catalysts. At low temperature (40 °C) over a Pd/Al2O3 catalyst, LGO is selectively hydrogenated to Cyrene. At intermediate temperatures (100 °C) over a Pd/Al2O3 catalyst, Cyrene is selectively hydrogenated to Lgol, with an excess of the exo-Lgol isomer produced over the endo-Lgol isomer. At higher temperatures (150 °C) over a bifunctional Pd/SiO2–Al2O3 catalyst, Lgol is converted to THFDM in 58% selectivity, with 78% overall selectivity to 1,6-hexanediol precursors. The ratio of cis-THFDM relative to trans-THFDM is approximately 2.5, and this ratio is independent of the Lgol feed stereoisomer ratio. Tetrahydropyran-2-methanol-5-ketone (THP2M5one) and tetrahydropyran-2-methanol-5-hydroxyl (THP2M5H) are side-products of Lgol hydrogenolysis, but neither of these species are precursors to THFDM.
